'The school has created an inclusive, nurturing environment. This complements its vision, that is, to be a community that prepares pupils to live a full life (John 10:10)'
SIAMS report May 2019
Our Vision and Values are at the core of everything we do. They underpin our teaching and learning, and provide an environment which prepares our pupils to be successful and supportive members of the community. We don't just teach our children about the Christian values, we model these continually and encourage our children to embed these values within their everyday lives, both at school and at home. We make sure that our teaching of the importance of Christian Values is firmly rooted in the teachings of The Bible. We recognise that Jesus is our biggest role model, and encourage our children to mirror the example He set for us by exploring stories from The Bible.
Our ethos, school vision, values and mission statement have been produced taking on board ideas from all stakeholders within the school community and so truly reflect what we are all working towards as a team. Our vision celebrates our Christian distinctiveness and our school CSPA values:
'We are a community that is supportive, prepared and ogether we achieve life in its fullness'
Chalfont St Peter Church of England Academy is committed to developing the full potential of each child in all aspects of life within the context of a welcoming and caring community. As a church Academy, we recognise the importance of faith in achieving this. We seek to give both an understanding of the Christian faith and to provide opportunities for the growth and expression of individual faith.
This half-term we have started using Roots and Fruits for our Collective Worship.
Roots and Fruits provides creative collective worship for primary schools based in Christian values themes over a period of two years. Rooted in Bible teaching, twelve Christian values represent the fruit that grows as the teaching is lived out in everyday life.
The value for the Autumn Term 1 is Generosity
and Autumn Term 2 is Compassion
We reflect on these values throughout our school day, especially in our whole school and class assemblies. We work hard to demonstrate the best of these values, both in and out of school.
At Chalfont St Peter Church of England Academy we actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.
These concepts are explored through our curriculum and in all subjects but in Religious Education and PSHE and Citizenship in particular, where children can deepen their understanding. We make great efforts to ensure our children are exposed to a wide range of experiences beyond their own community. We do this through school visits locally and abroad as well as via Skype links with our partner schools. This enables children to embrace difference and celebrate commonality between peoples alongside developing a pride in “Britishness” and a sense of belonging to our nation.
DEMOCRACY
At Chalfont St Peter Church of England Academy we listen to the views of children and we do this through a variety of means including:
THE RULE OF LAW
Our school has ‘Diamond and Golden Rules’ which promote the well-being of the individual and the school as a whole. Each class reinforces those rules and they are a central part of the school ethos. The school has a positive behaviour policy that sets out rewards and sanctions. We encourage children to recognise rights and how these go hand in hand with responsibility.
INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY
We support children to make informed choices in a secure setting. Children develop self-respect and value themselves as individuals. Our school ethos, and methods of teaching, develop children’s independence as well as other qualities such as perseverance and resilience.
At Chalfont St Peter Church of England Academy our curriculum celebrates the memory of those who have struggled for liberty.
MUTUAL RESPECT
Respect is a core value of our school and underpins our ethos. Respect is shown by all adults and children towards each other and towards our community. Our wide and broad curriculum supports this and helps children to articulate what respect means in practice. Children can talk about their own faith and beliefs as well as the faiths and beliefs of others. Our emphasis is one of unity around what unites us as human beings.
TOLERANCE OF THOSE WITH DIFFERENT FAITHS AND BELIEFS
Through Religious Education and PSHE and Citizenship, in particular, we deepen children’s understanding of faith and belief. We welcome visitors from our community and have themed weeks to enrich understanding of culture. We have an emphasis on British culture and celebrate St George’s day and Shakespeare’s birthday.